Radiator Capacity?

[Russ Dickey]

Just off hand, does anyone know the radiator capacity for the Griffin radiator in the 289 FIA's? I need to change the coolant this weekend, and can't seem to find the specs anywhere.

[dmswann]

Don't know the capacity for sure, but last time I changed the antifreeze, Alan told me to drain system, add a gallon of antifreeze, fill up with water, bleed of any air and then top off with water.

Worked fine then.

Dennis Swann
FIA #9289

[Mike Geddes]

Russ.....
Follow the coolant manufactures directions for dilution to suit the
lowest temp. you would see in Kansas City.
Just mix it up in a milk jug to the correct ratio's and keep filling till full.
Run it a while...top it off.....finished.
I run a 50% water to glycol mix in Canada to suit Minus 35 Centigrade
when the car is in storage.
In summer I change to maybe 20% glycol mix.
Mike

[Russ Dickey]

Thanks fellas, but here's my dilemma:

My radiator filler cap is located in the top radiator hose, so I'm unable to see into the radiator to know when it's full. Do I continue to fill it up until I see liquid in the hose?

[bstandley1]

Russ,

I recently drained all the coolant out of my car and it measured approximately 13 quarts. I opened the petcocks in the block to get all the antifreeze out. I'd estimate that a quart or so came out of the block. When I refilled the cooling system, I put about 12 quarts in through the filler cap (same set up as you) and added the last quart into the plastic overfill container, started it up and it worked fine. Hope this helps.

Bob

[eliminator]

You need just enought anti-freeze to keep it from freezing up, water cools better than anti-freeze. I use Preston Yellow, 1-2 bottles of Redline Water Wetter, and distilled water. Wasn't a fan of distilled water until I pulled the intake off once without and once with. Big difference, the distilled water keeps things so much cleaner, no mineral deposits whatsoever.

Also there is a bleed petcock on the radiator, drivers side, top left. Open this while adding the coolant and it will bleed the air out of the system, when the coolant runs out close it.